Gemotions

The chipped mug warmed Amelia's hands, but the chill settled in her bones refused to leave. The rain outside mirrored the grey inside her. Lately, everything felt...flat. Not exactly bad, just...less. She scrolled through Instagram, a useless ritual of envy at other people's vibrant lives. Then, a notification. A new picture from her sister. Their niece, Lily, had drawn another picture. Lily's art was usually cheerful chaos, but this one...a lanky figure with twig arms and a crooked grin stood beside a beaming Lily. It was Arthur. Amelia’s childhood imaginary friend. The pang in her chest was sharp, unexpected.

She hadn't thought about Arthur in decades. Memories, once vibrant, were now faded. Looking at the drawing, a strange tightness constricted her throat. She closed her eyes, trying to recapture the feeling of being eight, of believing in things that couldn't be seen.